Rim Tape Question
 

I changed the rim tape on my hybrid about a month ago, when I put some new tires on. I felt that there was nothing complicated about it. I put the tape in the middle of the rim and let the sticky stuff do the rest. About 200 miles now and I got a flat. When I took the tire and tube off, I noticed that the rim tape had moved. This was the reason for my flat.

Questions: is there something more to putting rim tape on? If the rim tape is on right, how does it move when the tire is on? How can one avoide this happening again?

Thanks in advance, TM.

What rim tape are you using. Most people, even myself will tell you to get some velox, it has an adhesive on it and is very thick.

Clean the rim surface with solvent. Check for protruding spoke heads. Check/deburr any sharp edges on the valve hole. Apply Velox.

If you are using Velox, you need to stretch it and mash it down with a finger as you work around the rim.

Ideally, the rim tape should completely cover the rim from flange-to-flange. If your rim tape is too narrow to do that, it's important to make sure that every tiny crescent of spoke hole is completely covered.

I question having edge of tape over the bead seat for the tire..

If the rim ferrule or spoke hole gets close to the edge of the rim where the tire bead goes, then the rim strip needs to cover it. It depends on the rim, but Grouch's advise holds: the rim strip needs to cover any possible protrusion on the rim.

/thread.

The rim tape was a brand I never saw before. I used Velox on the rear wheel but had to go to another Bike Shop for the second wheel and they only had Brand X. I'll get some Velox and follow the directions above to put it on. Thanks.

You do know the tape comes in 2 or 3 different widths, right? Don't use a narrow tape on a wide rim etc. ;)

Performance brand comes in 11, 17 and 22 mm wide. I use it and have no problems with the brand.


http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...300304__400941

rim tape can move when you are working like hell with the tire irons to remove a very tight tire or put one on (not that i recommend it). i've done it several times and had a number of "chaffing" flats as a consequence.

Yes, I have a friend who has had recurring rim strip related flats. He's prone to digging around with the tire levers.

Velox narrow is all-but-useless. It only works on single wall rims that have a narrow channel down the center and it's barely wide enough to cover the nipples on them.

Velox medium is the right width for most rims. It neatly snaps in under the hook bead on Open Pro rims for example.

Velox wide is too wide for road rims and for even some mountain bike rims.